Cover for breath alcohol ignition interlock device

ABSTRACT

An exemplary embodiment of the invention, FIGS.  1  to  4,  the case ( 10 ) may comprise two parts, a first case plate ( 30 ) and a second case plate ( 32 ) that can be fitted together to form a case having a front, back, top and bottom surface by means of snap lock Mechanisms ( 34 ) located in the four corners of the plates (FIGS.  3  and  4 ). The joined plates are adapted to enclose the breath alcohol ignition interlock device  12  and accordingly may have a similar shape and dimensions similar to those of the breath alcohol ignition interlock device  12.  Other embodiments are described and shown.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/378,783, filed Aug. 31, 2010 by the present inventor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cover for a breath alcohol ignition interlock device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the cover for the breath alcohol ignition interlock device according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cover for a breath alcohol ignition interlock device according to an alternate embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the cover for a breath alcohol ignition interlock device according to the embodiment of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the cover for a breath alcohol ignition interlock device according to FIG. 1 having an alternate cover design; and

FIG. 6 is a front view of the cover for a breath alcohol ignition interlock device according to FIG. 1 having yet another cover design.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention generally provides a case that covers a breath alcohol ignition interlock device, concealing identifying features of the device while providing openings for functional elements of the device.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, FIGS. 1 to 4, the case 10 may comprise two parts, a first case plate 30 and a second case plate 32 that can be fitted together to form a case having a front, back, top and bottom surface by means of snap lock mechanisms 34 located in the four corners of the plates (FIGS. 3 and 4). The joined plates are adapted to enclose the breath alcohol ignition interlock device 12 and accordingly may have a similar shape and dimensions similar to those of the breath alcohol ignition interlock device 12.

The first case plate 30, which may be the front of the cover, may have an opening 26 for a start button 16 as well as an opening 24 for a display 14 in the face of the plate. The first case plate 30 and the second case plate 32, which may be the back of the case, may each contribute to an opening 36 at the bottom of the case for a power cord 18, and may each contribute to an opening 22 at the top of the cover for a nozzle 20. Alternatively, the bottom of the case may be open 28. The case can be opaque and can be made of new or recycled plastic, wood or fabric that may be durable enough to protect the device 10 and its elements. If fabric is used, it may be attached to some rigid backing in order to use the snap/lock mechanism to join the two plates. The case 10 may have a decorative appearance by means of the addition of ornamental elements or design patterns (FIGS. 5 and 6).

The case 10 can have a size that can fit closely to enclose and protect the breath alcohol ignition interlock device 12. Accordingly, the case can be, for example, about 3 inches wide and about 6 inches long and can have a depth about equal to that of the device 12. There may be an opening for a power cord 18 on the bottom surface of the case 10 and an opening 22 for a nozzle 20 on the top surface (FIG. 1). The front of the case 10 may have an opening 26 for a start button 16 of the device 12 and an opening 24 for a display screen 14 of the device 12 (FIG. 2).

It can be necessary for a person who has received a citation for DUI (driving under influence) to use a breath alcohol ignition interlock device 12 before he can start the engine of his vehicle. A case according to the invention 10 can disguise the breath alcohol ignition interlock device 12 and can thus avoid the stigma and embarrassment that may be associated with the use of the breath alcohol ignition interlock device 12 while meeting the testing requirement for compliance with the law

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

DRAWING DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1: is a perspective view of the invention 10.

FIG. 2: is an exploded perspective view of the invention 10.

FIG. 3: is a perspective view of the invention 10 illustrating an alternate embodiment.

FIG. 4: is an exploded perspective view of the invention 10 illustrating an alternate embodiment.

FIG. 5: is a front view of the invention 10 illustrating an alternate pattern (Argyle).

FIG. 6: is a front view of the invention 10 illustrating another alternate pattern (Faux Burberry).

DESCRIPTION LIST

-   10: is the overall invention. -   12: is the breath alcohol ignition interlock device. -   14: is the display. -   16: is the start button. -   18: is the power cord. -   20: is the nozzle. -   22: is the nozzle opening. -   24: is the display opening. -   26: is the start button opening. -   28: is the open bottom. -   30: is the first case plate. -   32: is the second case plate. -   34: is the snap/lock mechanism. -   36: is the power cord opening. 

We claim:
 1. A cover for a breath alcohol ignition interlock device, comprising a first case plate and a second case plate adapted to fit together to enclose the device and to form a case having a top and a bottom surface; an opening in the first case plate to expose a display screen of the device; an opening in the first case plate to provide access to a start button of the device; an opening in the top surface of the case for a nozzle of the device and an opening in the bottom surface of the case for attaching a power cord to the device, wherein the nature of the device is disguised while the functional elements of the device remain accessible. 